Jet-boaters helping black-fronted terns on the lower Waitaki

With the help of NZ Jetboating, the Lower Waitaki black-fronted tern projectstarted in October this year is progressing well. The group are currently monitoring 3 black-fronted colonies (70 nests) and predators on 15 islands. Checking the site every 10-12 days, the group have seen 5 fledglings, one colony fail, and a colony partially fail due to predation. On the islands they’ve found the footprints of mustelids, possums, rats and mice, and have obtained camera footage of some of the predators.

A huge shout out the guys from NZ Jetboating for their amazing help! This level of monitoring and research is made possible only because of the volunteer hours they contribute.